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While it may seem like a mundane task,inflating tiresis much more crucial to your car than you may think, and it results in a safer and more economical experience on the road. Your vehicle’s handling also will be greatly improved as the larger a tire’s inflated footprint, the more responsive and comfier the ride balance will be.

To find your tires’ proper inflation level, look for a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb. It displays the vehicle weight restriction and tire information. The info is also found in the maintenance or car-care section of your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Don’t refer to the sidewall markings on your tires, which in part specify the maximum tire pressure — not the recommended pressure.

Unless your tire is visibly flat, don’t judge tire inflation just by looking at it; you have to use a tire pressure gauge to get the correct pounds per square inch reading. There are three types of tire-pressure gauges: digital, internal slide and dial. Prices range from $5 for a basic gauge to more than $30 for one that is digital, has an air-release button — or even talks. All will do the job, but you may want to consider the conditions in which you’ll be using your gauge. “We’ve found that low-cost digital pressure gauges are very accurate and maintain the accuracy longer, but in extremely cold temperatures the gauge may not show up properly,” said John Rastetter,Tire Rack’sdirector of tire information services.

Tips for checking and filling your tires

Tire manufacturers suggest checking tires when they’re cold for the most accurate reading. Outside temperatures can cause tire pressure to vary by as much as 1 psi per 10 degrees; higher temperatures mean higher psi readings. “Tires are black; what does black do? Attract heat,” Rastetter said, noting the importance of finding a shady place to check and fill all four tires.

Temperature plays a huge part in tire psi, Rastetter said, adding that the most crucial time of year to check pressure is infall and winterwhen days are shorter and average temperatures plummet.

Check your tires in the morning before going anywhere, because as soon as you get behind the wheel for an extended amount of time, psi will rise. Rastetter said that if you’ve been on the road a long time and notice higher psi in your tires, don’t let the air out, as the increase in pressure has built up due to the warm, constantly-in-motion tires

What to do

1.Pull your car onto a level surface in the shade.

2.Remove dust caps from the tires’ valve stems.

3.Using your tire gauge, firmly press the tip of the gauge straight on to the tire’s valve stem for a brief moment.

4.The tire gauge should provide a psi reading; if the number seems unrealistically low or high — for example, 85 psi or 1 psi – you will need to repeat the previous step, ensuring that the tire gauge’s tip is properly making contact with the valve stem.

5.If the tire gauge’s recorded reading is higher than the manufacturer-recommended rating, press the gauge tip on the valve stem until you hear air leak out. Check the tire pressure again.

6.If the reading is lower than recommended, fill the tire with air by firmly pressing the air-hose tip onto the valve stem. You will hear air quietly enter the tire. If you hear air leaking or spraying out, you need to double-check that the connection between the air hose and the tire’s valve stem is secure.

7.When you think you’ve added or let out enough air, check the pressure a few times with the gauge.

8.Replace the valve dust caps. Rastetter emphasized the importance of keeping dust caps on during winter driving because if water gets into the valve stem and freezes inside the tire, it could cause a flat.

While you’re at it, check your spare tire’s pressure. You don’t want to have a flat tire and then find out your replacement is flat, too.

Make these steps part of your routine. It will benefit your vehicle and your wallet.

If you’re like many teens, getting your driver’s license is a highlight on the path to independence. It also brings a lot of responsibilities. Despite safer cars, better laws and more focus from parents, car crashes remain the top cause of death and serious injuries for teens.

Through the Keys2Drive website, AAA can help you and your parents navigate the learning-to-drive process together to make you a safer driver. Learn about the teen licensing process, insurance and driver education; find resources to help you practice and build driving skills; and get tips and tools to keep safe on the roads.

Generally, teens do not have to worry about getting their own car insurance policy. More often than not, parents add their teen drivers to their own policies because it’s usually the cheaper option.

NOTE: Some teens own their own cars; in these cases, usually they have their own car insurance policies. However, most states have strict rules on teens owning property (such as vehicles), meaning parents have to at least co-sign for the property. If this is your case, talk with your state’s motor vehicle agency about state policies for teens to own vehicles outright. Learn more.